Beyond the Expected

Creating a unique room is about stepping beyond the expected and allowing some of the conventional concepts in room décor to be broken. Don’t be afraid to mix colors, textures, size, shapes and styles to put together a story that is as individual as your home and lifestyle.

For instance, in the bedroom, consider an upholstered bed rather than matching it to your chest and dresser. You may also enjoy distinctive pieces by adding two different nightstands, perhaps choosing Bombe chests. These short, wooden tables add a curvy element of flair yet functionally serve a bedside purpose.

Have fun implementing a contrasting mix of textures and layers like the natural quality of leather, the richness of fur, smooth luster of silk and the warmth of textured wools. Create a mixture of color such as a soft palette of greys with colors that are close together on the color wheel like blues and violets. Likewise, go bold with opposite hues on the spectrum by pairing orange with blue or red with shades of green.

Interior customization is truly about combining your furniture and accessories in unexpected ways by adding layers that bring the depth of your personality to any room setting. Not only is it a place for you to enjoy being, it’s a space to enjoy building.

By Benta Niemi
Interior Designer
Royal Oak SSI

On a recent trip to the mall I was walking past a newly remodeled Victoria’s Secret store when my inner “girly girl” was inspired. I began to imagine a walk-in closet bigger than most people’s bedrooms so that there would be plenty of room for my ridiculous amount of clothes, shoes, purses... well, hopefully you get the picture.

Along the intensely black walls would be floor to ceiling lacquer cabinets in a gorgeous black cherry, high gloss finish. They most certainly would provide the perfect backdrop for my never-ending wardrobe. On the opposite end of the room would be an entire wall dedicated to my shoe collection. A fully lit display rack with slanted shelves will make choosing which ones to wear even harder since they would all look too nice to touch.

A gorgeous crystal chandelier along with extra track lighting would provide more than enough ambiance to do my hair and make-up at the custom mirrored vanity. With a zebra print chair on casters to sit on, I would feel like a movie star.

A fabulous white shag rug would consume the center of the room that I could run my toes through as I pondered what would become my day’s attire. And although it would probably never be sat on, there would still have to be a hot pink leather chaise lounge in case I ever needed a rest.

Always remember to be on the lookout for inspiration because it is always around! It can come from the smallest things whether it’s nature, a magazine, or even at the mall.

By Bridget Bueche
Interior Designer
Grand Rapids SSI

Dress for Success

Dressing yourself and outfitting your home are strikingly similar processes. While you may select all well-made, high-quality pieces, the look can still fall flat without the correct accessories. Just like your LBD isn’t complete without your keepsake oyster pearls, killer pumps and silk-chiffon shawl, your home too needs certain touches and trinkets to make it – well – homier.

A home should speak to your personal style, just as the outfits you assemble do. Without those hand-picked accessories, knick knacks, and special pieces that you adore, spaces appear generic. Instead, make it pop. Whether it’s a large Christo vase, Maitland Smith table lamp, or an ornate 5’x8’ area rug, accessories are dual-purpose. Primarily, they will connect together design selections you’ve made throughout your room and home, and relay a cohesive message. They also serve as unique, individual representations of your personality, so choose wisely!

Accessories, just like your jewelry and shoes, should work together. That doesn’t mean that they should match, but that they shouldn’t be competing for attention or drawing unwanted attention (you know, the kind you get when you wear that Christmas sweater with the bells that jingle). 

At Scott Shuptrine Interiors we have an array of lighting, area rugs & home décor, and we’ll help you “dress” your home in a way that best exudes your personal style. Come by and see me, I’ll be looking for you. 

By Jacqueline Neil
Interior Designer
Royal Oak SSI

Today I had the pleasure to work with Anne Whitcomb of Eastern Accents.  As we made the beds with layers of bedding we began discussing the luxury linen business.  The one room in my home that I love is my bedroom.  Always cozy and with layers of bedding.  Fine sheets, six down pillows, two euros and two decorative toss pillows.  There is nothing better than coming home from a hectic day and jumping in my luxurious bed. 

Have you ever slept on fine Italian linens? There’s nothing better!  Your bedroom is where you should feel most comfortable and truly be able to relax. Many people overlook the importance of great bedding. A great deal of our life is spent in bed. Sleep is the healthiest thing we can do for ourselves. And you deserve the best.

Eastern Accents has been in the luxury bedding business for 20 years. They specialize in fine crafted fabrics and trims and have some of the most beautiful linens in the market.  Their sheets are the finest Italian milled fabrics.  They’re made with the longest staple Egyptian cotton and provide years of comfort and durability.

Customers are increasingly paying more attention to their bedrooms, the furniture and linens they choose. Eastern Accents makes the process easy by providing coordinated ensembles and options to customize. They offer layers of bedding and accessories such as drapery panels, ottomans, throws and table runners to truly complete the look.

You owe it to yourself to check it out, touch the fabrics and learn about what makes Eastern Accents bedding truly luxurious. 

Sweet dreams! 

By Shannon Growney
Interior Designer
Grand Rapids Gallery

TREND WATCH: HOLLYWOOD REGENCY.

You may have been hearing some buzz lately about a style described as Hollywood Regency. As with many trends, HolIywood Regency isn’t a specific style that is studied in design school but a modern interpretation, in this case, of what old Hollywood glamour was. I really favor the richness and variety Scott Shuptrine offers making this style easy to introduce with subtle accessories such as pillows, lighting, rugs and window treatments. 

When introducing opulence to a home, I’m an advocate of less is more, not in the approach that minimalism brings, but you don’t want the room to get too busy or to expect Bette Davis to come strolling in any moment. This means vintage design doesn’t have to feel out-dated and our interior designers know the difference and how to make it work in a modern-lifestyle home. Of course, taking it further depends on the client’s taste, style of the home itself, and the size of the room.

This luxuriously glamorous décor originated in the flea markets of Los Angeles and New York City.

It uses elements such as mirrors, crystal, glass and Lucite, as well as luxurious silk, velvet and mohair fabrics. The quintessential silk lampshades with heavy fringe are bespoke for an era of entertainment and grandeur and are once again represented in some of the most glamorous homes in the world. We can help you bring a flair for the dramatic into your home with a touch of Hollywood Glam. 

By Kathy Monahan

Interior Designer
Royal Oak SSI

What Is “In Style” Now?

Claire Jensen
Scott Shuptrine Interior Designer – Royal Oak Gallery

What is “in style” now? This is a question that clients frequently ask when we initially meet. There are always new styles and trends coming out…but why follow a trend?

I feel your home should be a reflection of you, and your personal style, not necessarily someone else’s opinion of what’s “in” for that season. Have fun…jazz it up because it’s what you like!

Personally, I like to incorporate a mix of styles, or be eclectic, in my own home. This way, I am bringing out the beauty and significance of every piece, and making a statement about the things that are important to me. I prefer furniture with cleaner, sleeker lines, mixed with vintage style accessories.

It’s okay to keep a family Victorian style china cabinet…mix it in with some sleek, colorful chairs on either side. Be daring and creative! Put different patterns and colors together.

At Scott Shuptrine Interiors, that’s why we’re here…to help you bring together all of the things you love…to create YOUR style! We carry many vendors that offer a wide array of styles, so let us make your home a place that describes you and your passions with flair!  

By Claire Jensen
Interior Designer
Royal Oak SSI

COLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Verwest
Scott Shuptrine Interior Designer – Royal Oak Gallery

Why are we so afraid of color? If I were to ask most of you what color your walls and ceilings are, most of you would answer white or some tone of beige…so why not color?

Color can be used in many different ways. We can use it to enhance architecture and create illusions of depth, and the list goes on and on.

Try painting your ceiling a light color, or perhaps the softest shade of blue.

When we look up what do we see??????...The sky…so doesn't it make sense to paint your ceiling that color, giving you the illusion of more height?

Pick a color from the paint decks and enhance the rooms using different shades of the base color. You might want to paint a back wall in the hallway in a medium color tone with all walls going down the hall, facing that direction, in the same shade…we now have created a sense of depth.

If the main wall in a room is painted a darker shade, you’ve now created the focal area of the room. To subdue, you paint the remaining walls in the softest shade of your color.

In closing…DON'T BE AFRAID OF COLOR. Remember, one of the least expensive things you can do in your home is paint…use it and be happy.

Tom Verwest
Interior Designer

Royal Oak SSI

Process in Interior Design

Many people feel that planning a room in their home can be a stressful and overwhelming task. There are many things to consider, including space planning, fabric and color coordination, frame selection and accessories. In order to make these projects enjoyable and stress-free, I follow a simple four-step process with time between each step to assimilate our choices. If you are not a visual person, work with an interior designer to help you through these steps.


Step One

Room Planning

The first step is to create a floor plan. I do this by measuring the room including all doors, windows and open walkways. It is also important to measure any pieces that will be staying in the room, such as an area rug or table. Once these measurements are gathered, I utilize my Room Planning software to create the new room. Then, from conversations with the client on how the room will be used, I create anywhere from three to five different furniture configurations. Some may have a sofa and loveseat, others a sectional and chair. Some differ only in a placement of the pieces. All of these choices are then considered and a favorite is chosen.


Step Two

Once we know which pieces will be in the room, our next step is to select the frames we like the best, such as a deep or shallow sofa; a traditional, modern or transitional piece; a wing chair or club chair. We decide based on comfort, size and look which actual frames are best for the family and use of the room.



Step Three
After frames are selected, we now know which manufacturers make those frames and are able to sort through our vast fabric library to coordinate each piece with each other. We make sure that the scale of our prints and depth of our colors all work together to make a beautiful space.


Step Four
Finally, after the upholstery pieces have been finalized, we turn to the accent pieces in the room to complete the look: coffee table or ottoman, side tables, lamps, area rugs and accessories. If needed, we can also pick paint colors for the room and fabrics and designs for window treatments. The final room will be balanced and comfortable.


Each step leads progressively to the next in an organized manner so as not to become overwhelmed, but instead can truly enjoy the process of making our home our own.

One word of warning...please never select your paint color first!!  This is always decided after the fabrics have been chosen so that the correct color hue for the walls can be drawn from the fabrics themselves.  Good luck in your room planning!

By Karen Dunn

Interior Designer

Woodward SSI

Why Should I hire an Interior Designer?

Claudia Simoes
Scott Shuptrine Interior Designer – Royal Oak Gallery

I had no idea how to start this first blog…what should I write about? Then, after a while it came to me that just writing about my job would be a good start…and it would also help people who still don't understand how it works or may feel uneasy contacting an Interior Designer.

Being a Designer is a fun job! It's very exciting to meet a new client and start building a relationship that is all about trust. Understanding the person's needs and desires, and being able to truly translate that into an actual room plan that becomes a lived in space... that's the challenge.

A professional designer will plan the room and coordinate the right pieces of furniture, creating balance in scale, color and materials. We all have different lifestyles: some people entertain a lot, others have kids and/or pets…first home, vacation home… so everyone will need different plans, pieces and materials. Durable fabrics that are kid proof…maybe leather, or even silk, for the more formal, dressy chair and pillows. Will they choose a fabric ottoman versus glass-top cocktail table? What will be the best color for the walls in a room with fewer windows…or where is the best place for grandma's old china cabinet, old pictures, or just some place for the souvenirs from the last trip? Whatever is important to keep, we will work around it.  Let’s rearrange the pieces - add new ones…refresh the space.

A designer will select exactly what you need in your budget…window treatment, wall covering, floor covering…the best carpet for that high traffic area, the perfect rug for your foyer, along with the art and all the accessories that will make that room look exactly like the room you dreamed of. Sometimes just a beautiful wallpaper and a big mirror will transform that forgotten area.

There's never an interior design project that's too small. At the end it's all about keeping the owner's identity alive… and in the end that's what matters.

By Claudia Simoes
Interior Designer
Woodward SSI